Why the need for colposcopy?

[Tootruetoberreal]

I have always had clear up to date smear tests. Due to some mid cycle spotting, and a cervical ectropion that bled on contact, I was referred to get a hysterecopy by the gp.
Biopsies were taken from my uterus (which looked normal), and from the red patch on my cervix. The consultant said the rest of the cervix looked healthy. The biopsies came back benign.
Now I have been referred by the consultant to get a colposcopy. When I ask why this is, I just got told that they're just being thorough. I don't understand why it is needed when a biopsy was taken of the ectroption, and it was benign.

Anybody had a similar experience? I just wanted to understand how there could be absolutely any ris, when a biopsy was taken of the abnormal looking part, and all results were normal.

Sorry, that should say risk.

It's probably like they said, they just want to be thorough (which I'd be very grateful for)! I had a colposcopy years ago and had a biopsy taken, it wasn't pleasant but it was over quickly and was worth it for the peace of mind.

Thank you. The thing is I have already had the biopsies taken by a consultant obstetrician/gynecologist, they were benign. It just seems strange they want to do the colposcopy, surely the biopsy would have shown any cells, and that was benign. I am certainly grateful for the thoroughness, but it seems unnecessary; the slot could go to somebody else. I don't understand what they're looking for that the cervical biopsy wouldn't have shown up.

I get you op
Like they're just repeating the same procedure under a different name
Not something I'd want to go through twice unnecessarily

I had a hysteroscopy, biopsy,uterine polyp removed and Mirena put in. I was then referred for a colposcopy and like you thought it unnecessary. She found a cervical polyp hiding which she removed? 5 Drs had been up there and missed it! So I do agree it's worth it for bleeding. I definitely don't have polyps and STILL bleed but also have ectropion.

Good luck

Yes exactly that. I honestly feel like they're just ticking a box at my expense of yet more invasion. The GP referred me for a colposcopy initially, based on the ectropion. I then got a letter for an appointment with the consultant, saying I was getting a colposcopy with a possible hysteroscopy. My uterus and cervix were biopsied, they were normal with no cell changes. I then get a letter from the same consultant saying she has referred me to the colposcopy because she felt the outer cervix (the part she said looked normal and healthy) hasn't been sampled. She had taken the biopsy of the red patch. It is just all so confusing; I feel like it is yet more invasion when I have already been through a not nice procedure.
I also had an ultra sound scan which showed no abnormalities, apart from one tiny fibroid, which they're not concerned about.

Forgot to mention as well, I have had no midcycle bleeding this month at all. I feel like it has healed if anything.
I was under a lot of stress and feel hormones may have been the culprit. I just feel like I should cancel it, but I know I'm not a medical expert.

When I rang up with colposcopy unit, I got told that the consultant was just crossing her T's. I fee it is to tick a box, and that it is unnecessary. I would be surprised if a thing was missed, because it lasted a while, and was very thorough carried pur by a very experienced consultant. I don't understand why I need to go to the colposcopy unit.

Does anybody know if there is a way, that I can request the lab results from the biopsies? They're aren't on my NHS record. They have said they're benign, but I wondering if one of them is contaminated/inconclusive.

Thank you so much for your reply; the things us women have to go through! The hysterecopy was awful, and then the bucket, and all of the water! Sorry you had to to go through that too.

May I ask if your bleeding is intimmitent? Do you get it every month? I feel like mine has healed and then maybe gets irritated again. I'm sure I have a sensitive cervix. I just really don't want more invasion, just to cross a t.

I get mine after sex and also randomly, I had a Mirena for 9 months and whilst it stopped my awful periods I was still having lots of random bleeding. I'm on HRT but think still would have periods, I got a period within 48 hours of having the Mirena removed. I've had 2 urgent gynae cancer referrals in the past year. They've agreed to do a hysterectomy (I have adenomyosis, endometriosis and chocolate cysts) but recommended I try removing the Mirena first as looked like it might have been making the ectropion worse.

I have had melanoma and bcc skin cancers in the past 2 years and think about to be diagnosed with another melanoma which is why I think I'll get it all out. Everytime I bleed I worry it's turned malignant, and so having it all out would remove that worry.

So sorry you were awake for your hysteroscopy though, that sounds awful. They agreed to give me deep sedation asI was starting to get in quite a state with having so many procedures.

If you think the slot could go to someone else then don't go. Cancel your appointment. No one is forcing you to go

@Tootruetoberreal as the username says, not a doctor… but I believe the colposcopy looks at the cervix, external genitalia and vagina and provides better magnification in order to eg.take a biopsy, if needed ( and hence better detection rates) whereas a hysteroscopy is looking for lesions within the uterus or the cervical canal…so both procedures cover different parts of the anatomy. The biopsy may have been from inside the cervical canal ..if you can imagine the cervix as a doughnut, they may have sampled from nearer the inside of the ring but need to examine round the edges ,so to speak.